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What happened to the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999?

Republic Act No. 8749 otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999.

Passing by EDSA everyday I can’t help but notice several smoke belchers still plying the 24-kilometer highway formerly known as Highway 54. Whenever I get a chance to ride my mountain bike (mostly weekends) I also notice smoke belchers in the province of Rizal. Within the city or outside the city limits these vehicles have been emitting high air pollutants.

“Article 4

SEC. 21. Pollution from Motor Vehicles.- a) The DOTC shall implement the emission standards for motorvehicles set pursuant to and as provided in this Act. To further improve the emission standards, the Departmentshall review, revise and publish thestandards every two (2) years, or as the need arises. It shall consider the maximum limits for all majorpollutants to ensure substantial improvement in air quality for the health, safety and welfare of the generalpublic."

SEC. 22. Regulation of All Motor Vehicles and Engines.- Any imported new or locally-assembled new motorvehicle shall not be registered unless it complies with the emission standards set pursuant to this Act, asevidenced by a Certificate of Conformity (COC) issued by the Department.

Any imported new motor vehicle engine shall not be introduced into commerce, sold or used unless itcomplies with emission standards set pursuant to this Act.

Any imported used motor vehicle or rebuilt motor vehicle using new or used engines, major parts orcomponents shall not be registered unless it complies with the emission standards.

In case of non-compliance, the importer or consignee may be allowed to modify or rebuild the vehicular engineso it will be in compliance with applicable emission standards.

No motor vehicle registration (MVR) shall be issued unless such motor vehicle passes the emission testingrequirement promulgated in accordance with this Act. Such testing shall be conducted by the DOTC or itsauthorized inspection centers within sixty (60) days prior to date of registration.

The DTI shall promulgate the necessary regulations prescribing the useful life of vehicles and enginesincluding devices in order to ensure that such vehicles will conform to the emissions which they were certifiedto meet. These regulations shall include provisions for ensuring the durability of emission devices.

SEC. 23. Second-Hand Motor Vehicle Engines.- Any imported second-hand motor vehicle engine shall not beintroduced into commerce, sold or used unless it complies with emission standards set pursuant to this Act.”……

I’m no lawyer but from what I understand is that no motor vehicle shall be given an MVR (motor vehicle registration) unless it passes the emission testing. I guess what we lack is a very strict implementation of this act. More anti-smoke belching units perhaps? A more efficient enforcers maybe?

Go up the hills early morning. Take a look at the city from afar. SMOG is what you’ll see. What happened to the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999?